Early Times Report
REASI, Nov 12: MLA Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Constituency, Baldev Raj Sharma, today attended the District Reasi Development Review Meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, in the presence of Cabinet Ministers Mir Saifullah, Sakina Itoo, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Kuloo, along with Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, and other senior officers.
During the meeting, MLA Baldev Raj Sharma raised several important developmental demands and highlighted key pending issues concerning the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Constituency.
A major issue raised by the MLA was the comprehensive development of Holy Katra Town under the proposed Rs 2,120.09 crore Comprehensive Urban Redevelopment Project. The project envisages three Smart Roads, fresh drinking water supply from Anss/Anji Nallah and 24×7 electricity supply.
While highlighting the progress of the project, Sharma informed the meeting that the initiative originated from the representation submitted to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during his visit to Katra on 06.06.2025. Subsequently, the matter was forwarded through the PMO to the Union Minister of State, Dr. Jitendra Singh. Thereafter, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, prepared the Preliminary Project Report (PPR) and submitted it to the Financial Commissioner (ACS), Public Works (R&B) Department, Civil Secretariat, J&K, Srinagar, for further necessary action.
The MLA urged the Chief Minister to recommend this significant project to the Government of India for funding. The Chief Minister assured that the J&K Government would recommend the project to the Government of India for the necessary financial support.
Sharma also requested the renaming of the PMGSY road from Pangalad to Devipindi via Sukhal Ghati and Sukhal Gali as "Trikuta Parvat Parikrama Road."
He further highlighted the issue of nine roads in District Reasi that are yet to be handed over by the Railway authorities to the PWD Department. Alongside this, he raised concerns regarding several sanctioned NABARD and PMGSY road projects whose execution remains held up due to pending Forest Clearances and clearances from the Revenue Department.
The MLA urged the Chief Minister to intervene and direct the concerned authorities to expedite the handover of all nine railway roads to the PWD Department and resolve the pending clearance issues so that work on the sanctioned NABARD and PMGSY roads can commence without further delay. |
